Sensor technologies

How to use our resources most efficiently is a key economic and contentious political issue today. Resource utilization strategies of Germany as well as of the European Union demonstrate that resource shortage is a recognized socioeconomic problem. Consequently, as private businesses and corporations aim to increase resource efficiency and maintain yield, politicians are spurring the politically mandated development of research projects in the areas of efficient raw material extraction, processing and recycling. The efficient and responsible exploitation of deposits as well as improved recycling technologies are crucial in light of an increasing demand for raw materials worldwide. Economic growth in industrial and emerging countries, rising living standards and the need to maintain economic power all require a secure raw material supply. As a result, responsible handling of primary and secondary raw material resources is continuously gaining importance. By applying modern technologies, raw materials are mined, recovered and recycled more efficiently with significant increases in sustainability. In particular, sensor technologies combined with intelligent systems for data evaluation play a significant role here. The use of innovative sensor technologies leads to higher levels of automation, increased recoveries in primary and secondary raw materials, as well as to higher purities of secondary raw material products. Sensors are applied for different applications such as for recognition of material-specific characteristics, elementary analysis as well as for machine control and automation. In particular, this book addresses producers and operators of sensor equipment and processing plants as well as interested students and researchers. The fields of extraction, processing and recycling are discussed in a single volume to provide readers not only with information from their own fields but also with insights into related fields. Fundamental principles and challenges of the raw materials industry as well as physical principles of sensor technologies are presented here. Increasing demand for sustainable and efficient use of raw materials requires innovative research approaches on an interdisciplinary basis. Thus, this book provides a broad overview of research findings and applications-impulses for the raw materials industry.